Thankful for family visitors!!

Leslie and Sam have been in town - staying with Grandma Mary while Donna has been visiting in Hawaii.  So we had them join us for dinner tonight.  Between having some car issues and wondering if I'd be off to be with Hannah, I have hesitated to plan much.  This worked out great!  We enjoyed a meal and a great visit - and then they toddled over to meet Deacon Sterling!!

So thankful for a great family - and especially thankful that Noah did the dishes!!  I could get used to this!

Happy Birthday to Barbara Jr.

Leslie is 14 years younger than me - I think it's 14 anyway - and was often called "Barbara Jr." because she looked like a younger version of me. I'm not sure how much we look alike, but it's obvious we are related!!

And how glad I am that we are related!! Growing up, I was so much older than Leslie, that it was more like I was an aunt or something - one who came home summers actually!! For two of the summers I was home, I worked for LA Unified as a Playground Aide - and many days Leslie and Donna came to work with me and spent the day at the playground. I don't remember lots about it - mostly that it was fun to have them in the car with me as I commuted and at the playground as I interacted with kids all day.

I have a memory of Leslie driving up to Utah with me in our little yellow VW - when Bonny was a baby and Harry was in South America. She spent a couple of weeks with me - I remember it being fun to have her around - and not just because she was a great little baby sitter either.

I'm glad we had all those associations after I married and left home. And I'm glad that we are good friends as well as sisters. When Bonny chose UCSB over BYU, she commented that she wanted to be close enough to stay in touch with her family - she wanted to be part of the lives of her younger siblings who were still at home when she left. It has made a significant difference in our family that she made that choice - I'm grateful to her for realizing the difference it would make!

I am so grateful that I have wonderful sisters - and brothers too - and that Leslie is one of them.

Have a great day - and a wonderful year ahead!!

(And we will ignore that it's Friday the 13th!!)

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

I love all my sisters, but Leslie and I share a special bond - one the others may be glad they don't share - and that is that most people think the familial resemblance is quite close. Many times in her life, Leslie got called "Little Barbara!"

She's a lot taller than me - and thinner too. So maybe it would be more accurate to call me "Big Leslie!!

In spite of the difference in our years, we find ourselves with much in common. We can't have a short conversation!!

Leslie is a wonderful sister - and she deserves a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

Life with a sister like Leslie is a wonderful gift!!

Here we are with Mom, the Christmas that Eliza and Matt got married.

The last "Sisters' Reunion" - when Donna graduated from CSUN. We are due for another, that's for sure!

The above shot is from a Clayton Family reunion - maybe in 2003??

A shot of Joan and me with Leslie at Clarissa's wedding reception - not sure of the year - 2005??

This is sometime in the 60's - I think '65 or '66. Christmas on Horace Street - Alice and I flank a very young, but very stylish Leslie Anne!

And here we are at Donna's birthday celebration last year. It's been awhile since we've had a "group shot" opportunity.

Bobby and June's wedding reception - at least Leslie doesn't have to worry about "being the bridesmaid" again!

She can be the mother of the bride or groom, however, a much nicer chore!

Leslie in 1965 - I think that's the year I stayed home to earn money for Grenoble. A fun time with my younger siblings, I will say. That and the weekly letters from Harry kept me happy.


Leslie is a wonderful sister - she deserves the best!! She often came and stayed with us when we were married and had children. I'm grateful for those years, because I was gone from home when she was quite young.


When I was at home summers, working at the playground, Leslie and Donna often came and spent the day with me. And when I stayed home to earn the money for Grenoble, I remember helping Leslie with her Halloween costume.

There are not lots of specific memories - but it's always great conversation, great eating, great Scrabble, and a real good time when you are with Leslie!

Great memories - of a great sister!!